Is my M101A2/3 stock?

[SgtVeXX]

So I purchased an M101A2/3 but the plate on the trailer says it's an M116A3, while the plate on the tub says M101A2. The inspection dates and serial numbers match though (inspected 1992) serial number in mid 100's.

Is this something that could have been put together this way or sombody's after military hack job? Is this something fairly common or somewhat rare?

Any info greatly appriciated.

 

[Recovry4x4]

M116A3 is simply the chassis number. All M101A3 trailers were built on M116A3 chassis. In your case you have an A2 body on the A3 chassis. Inside measurement between the fenderwells is 45" on yours, the A3 is 55".

 

[SgtVeXX]

Yea but could it have been originally built that way or has it been modified by somebody? Wasn't sure since the serial numbers matched.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Original? Unlikely. Rebuilt? Possibly. Unit assembled? Almost certainly. As far as SN, they are held on with simple rivets.

Oh, the rack? That's an "after military hack job" as you phrased it.

 

[SgtVeXX]

Original? Unlikely. Rebuilt? Possibly. Unit assembled? Almost certainly. As far as SN, they are held on with simple rivets.

Oh, the rack? That's an "after military hack job" as you phrased it.

Yea I knew the rack was definately an after military thing...along with the terrible paint job. The rack will be coming out; doesn't fit with my needs for the trailer. Thank you for the quick responses!

I've got a lot of work to do on this thing. First off, figure out why the surge brakes jerk me forward and backward when I get down to low speeds...wish me luck!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Bad shock in the surge assy usually is the cause.

 

[Trailboss]

Just a guess, but that rack looks substantial, and may have been built to carry sheets of drywall or plywood above other building supplies.

With one sheet of plywood as a floor on the rack, you could also have a 2-compartment storage trailer for camping or traveling.

Take the rack out if you want, but I wouldn't throw it away.

With the A3 axles, you could also add HMMWV tires to adjust the trailer height up if needed.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I see racks like that more often on the expo trailer builds. Since your trailer has the A2 bed, plywood won't fit between the fenderwells. If this could be an issue, that rack might be the answer. If the rack needs to go, I'm sure it could be sold easily. I'd like to see more of it with the top off. Member harleyhouse (Mark) would be an excellent source of information on this as he builds his trailers for a specific purpose.

 

[SgtVeXX]

I defiantly plan on keeping the rack. I just need to modify the mounting system to mount it above the bed. I'd like to put a roll up tonneau cover on it and have the rack mounted above it using the pocket holes (not sure what they're called) on the side of the trailer where I could remove/re-install it easily.